Late last month, I ran a Throwback Thursday post praising the virtues of those of us who wake up even before the crack of dawn. “10 Reasons Why Being An Early Riser Is Good For You (And Your Career” was originally a post from 2018 that resonated with many of you both times I published it.
It’s based on a story that first appeared in Entrepreneur comments on the blog and in my socials. Many of you, of course, are morning drive personalities – or were at one time. Most vouched for all the great benefits that come from being an early riser.
Except for one JacoBLOG reader – Evan Shipe.
He’s a veteran radio host, currently working afternoons on the #1 station in Austin, Texas – Waterloo Media’s BOB-FM. Evan’s enjoyed a storied career, including helping launch Radio Disney for the ABC Radio Networks in Dallas. He’s always been what he calls a night person, a night owl, if you will – and makes no bones about the beauty of hitting “snooze” and continuing to enjoy his R.E.M. sleep.
Here’s the comment he submitted to the post last month. If you can relate to Evan’s lifestyle choice of enjoying radio after dark, let’s hear from you.
And I will say this: what is it about the way things work that early risers almost always marry or partner with night owls? And why are “early birds” and “night owls” both avian idioms?
But I digress. Below is Evan’s defense of those who function better when the sun goes down. – FJ
In Praise of Radio’s Night Owls – by Evan Shipe
I HAVE to chime in on this as I’ve been a night person since college. I’ve attempted to do mornings during my radio career but it’s always ended in disaster.
People have always told me “When you get older, you’ll wake up earlier.” Well, I’ve been “playing the hits” since the early ’80s and I still go to bed at 1-2am and roll into work at the crack of noon.
The benefits? Here’s how it works:
- The Gym : 10:30am? The gym is all mine
- Traffic : I can listen to 3 songs if traffic is bad.
- Getting More Done: 8p-1pm, I’m in my studio working on imaging, or I’m scheduling music and I can take my time to keep us at the top of the ratings.
- I don’t drink coffee but I am happy and healthy.
- If one of our stations goes off at midnight or if a PD forgets to send a music log, guess who comes to the rescue? LOL.
Let’s talk about the other advantages of being a night owl:
Peak Performance at Night: According to a story in The Healthy by Jen Babakhan, night owls tend to have increased alertness, creativity, and even physical strength in the later hours. Some believe they may actually be smarter.
Potential for Stronger Reasoning Skills: Studies suggest night owls might score higher in what’s called inductive reasoning, a form of critical thinking valued in many fields. Some say those who exhibit these skills exude intelligence and logic, often predictors of academic and career success.
More Time for Deep Thinking: A blog post in My Bed Frames quotes a University of Surrey study that says genetics determines whether we’re a night owl or an early bird. Our sleep patterns – or
“chronotypes” – are what separates us.
And it turns out the quiet and focus of the night can be ideal for reflection, strategic planning, and tackling complex problems. No surprise – Albert Einstein was a proud night owl, often working into the wee hours to come up with brilliance like his Theory of Relativity.
Natural Flexibility: Deanna Ritchie writes in Calendar that creatures of the night are more adaptable to changing schedules and may find it easier to adjust to late-night work or travel. Doesn’t that sound consistent with how things roll at most radio stations?
Thriving Social Life: Night owls can enjoy a richer social life by connecting with friends and colleagues who share their evening preferences. You know, birds of a feather that
flock together, etc.
No doubt about it – Don Draper and Keith Richards – are the kind of people who hang out, thrive, and do their best work and socializing at night.
My PD is a morning person, so someone is always “on” since there are only two of us running the show.
I truly appreciate and admire morning people. I also appreciate and admire doctors… but I’ll never be one.
I do enjoy your blog, but this one hit a nerve. 
So what about you? Night owl? Early bird? The more I read about both, I’m convinced few of us have a little of each.
It’s one way or the other. But I clearly “get” how a typical early riser can be successfully complemented by a someone who doesn’t really get going until much later in the day.
This blog post typically goes live at 6am ET. Let’s see how long it takes for Evan to figure out it was his post I published today. – FJ
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
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Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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My first big break was doing nights in Washington, DC. The only thing I disagree with is social life. Back then there were fewer night owls and no social media to connect us.
The sad part of all of this is that most stations do not have any life Night Flys (h/t Donald Fagen).
Not sure this puts me in either “night owl” or “early riser” category but my favorite shifts to work by far were those evening swing shifts. You can sleep as late as you like, you can get in some exercise or other errands at your leisure, you can have not only the gym to yourself, but entire movie theaters (at half or less the cost than taking in a movie at night)! Need some car work done or a trip to the doctor’s or dentist’s? No trouble working around your schedule. And then to top it off, you save the best for last–my favorite time of day was being in that radio station each night. So I’ll just say here’s to the night owls AND the early risers, who leave those precious evening shifts to the rest of us–the SWINGERS!
I’ll go way back to my roots doing nights on 50kw WLAC-AM/Nashville in the 1970s. Alone in the station, doing things the way that felt good, bouncing off the ionosphere and into Sweden, Ontario and Mexico. What a trip! The permission that came with the position of hosting nights inspired creativity. During my tenure as a programmer I sought out night talent that were itching to flex their creative muscle. They made the best kind of radio.
Smokey, there’s a reason why so many of radio’s best personalities go their starts in nights or overnights. You describe the vibe perfectly.
Started out as a night 🦉. 1st gig was Midnight – 6 am. Then it was a slew of 7 pm – Midnights which was a blast because you got away with murder. Then came a bunch of 3-7 PMs before a couple of am drive false starts, back to afternoons before finally getting comfortable in mornings. Other than the Monday pain, it is kinda cool leaving work when I used to arrive.
Your progressison, Tim, matches the experiences of many. Staarting out at nights/overnights is great prep for prime time.
Sitting in McDonalds with my youngest son, Boston’s More than a Feeling was playing, which reminded me of a guy I went to high school with. Evan Shipe. I googled his name and found this post. Just saying – happy to see he is doing well and not surprised he is DJ’ing.
Great story, John.